ACLU Wins Lawsuit Against Ville Platte’s Walking Curfew

VILLE PLATTE, La. (KPEL) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana has won a key lawsuit filed against the city of Ville Platte for its walking curfew that was implemented in 2011 but later cancelled.

The city has agreed not to enact any further curfews unless there is a compelling reason for one, according to a consent decree from the 15th District Judicial Court.

From February 2011 to October 2011, the city, through an executive order from Mayor Jennifer Vidrine, implemented a curfew that prevented residents from walking around on the streets after 10 p.m. Vidrine says she proposed the curfew after several cars were broken into.

The city later dropped the curfew, though, after Ville Platte resident Arthur Sampson filed suit against the city.

"This is a victory for the people of Ville Platte," said Marjorie Esman, Executive Director of the ACLU of Louisiana. "In a free society people must have the right to move about as they choose. That right has been restored in Ville Platte, where it should not have been taken away to begin with."

The city has also agreed to reimburse the ACLU's attorney for court costs and attorney's fees in the amount of $16,893.48.